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HEAD TO TOE SELF MESSAGE
Top 10 most important health tips:
1. Move More
Make it your daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb
stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators.
Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn.
Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a
stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't
have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or
tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Move
more and feel better!
2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats
(i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such
as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat
versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and
sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower
fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and
mayonnaise.
3. Reduce Stress
Of course, easier said than done.... Stress busters come in many
forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive
thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak
in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit
a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny
movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten
before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult
people when possible.
4. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the
Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health,
Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill.
Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens.
Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie
of late smoke cigarettes. Warn your children of the false romance or
'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers.
5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid
smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and
exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog
rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality
is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution
deterrent.
6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate
potential injuries in car crashes.
7. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for
men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause
other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer.
8. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth
flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who
floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't?
9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully
and having a cheerful outlook on life. Yes, keep on smiling and
laughing!
10. Choose Your Parents Well |
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